Hello dear ones,
Last week I participated in a 5-day intensive yoga workshop which pretty much blew my mind. I’ve been practicing yoga for almost ten years now, which is short in the span of the universe, but quite long in the span of my life.
My focus has never been on having an impressive physical practice, but after ten years of practice, when I show up to a yoga class, I’m not generally the most advanced student, but I’m generally not the least advanced either.
In the weeks leading up to the workshop, I started to feel intimidated by the caliber of people I knew would be in the room, both the teacher and the other practitioners. These are folks in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are immensely capable in their physical practice, and stable in their minds as well.
So I felt humbled and a little scared to be in this room with people who have been studying and practicing yoga for longer than I’ve been alive. Would I be able to keep up? What if I couldn’t do the poses? Was I actually qualified to be here?
But once I actually got into the space, I was instantly relieved. My fellow students were kind and welcoming, and I had a profound shift in thinking. Stop feeling intimidated by these rockstar elders, I said to myself, and start feeling INSPIRED.
How amazing to see bodies that have grown stronger with age rather than weaker? These are people who have become more and more alive, engaged, grounded, and centered as the years have passed instead of sliding into unsteadiness and instability.
What a thing to behold, and what a thing to aspire towards.
Look around this week for the people who are further along in their path than you, whether it’s a supervisor at work, an artist with a more prestigious career, or that yogi next to you flawlessly handstanding before class even starts. What can you learn from them? How can you grow from being in their presence? Can you see them in the light of inspiration instead of intimidation?
Who are you intimidated by? Could you be inspired by them instead? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment to let me know!
Much love,
Bear